Salford-born defender makes history with Bolton Wanderers

Seventeen-year-old Salford footballer Alexsis Williams has joined Bolton Wanderers as a right-sided central defender in the club’s first-ever women’s team. 

The rising star, better known as Lexi, always knew she was interested in sports above all else.

Favouring the pitch to any track events, she gravitated towards the beautiful game, realising from a young age that it was more than just a hobby.

A trip to the barbers with her dad put her on course to becoming one of the most promising young female footballers in the North West of England. The barber mentioned a football club for girls in Winton and so it began.

Fast forward to 2024, and she’s playing for Bolton’s first team, but her journey there has been long and full of commitment and challenges.

“I used to play on the playground in school with the boys, I was the only girl on the pitch,” she said.

When Lexi joined, there were a lot of girls from the high school under coach Jamie, who was dedicated to giving the girls a chance.

She added: “As the years went on and I got a bit older, I really started to build a passion for football, it was really on my mind. It wasn’t just a hobby.

“I was one of the good ones, I then started to play a year up. It was a bit scary I was getting pushed around a lot, but I stuck at it, and we won the league at Winton.”

At the age of 14, Lexi felt that she’d done all she could at Winton, so she tried to explore different teams.

She took on one-to-one training sessions with Calculated Performance, a company set up to help athletes develop their full potential, whether it be physically or technically.

“They really helped me get to the next level of football. It was a step up in my career.

“It was quite expensive, and at the time, we couldn’t afford it a lot, so I only went once a fortnight. They could see a really big change in how I was playing,” said Lexi.

After the support from Calculated Performance and the visible improvements to her style of play, Lexi and her family decided to make football the “main priority” in her life.

Lexi then started to play more and more football. She played all weekend – Saturdays for Astley and Sundays for Winton and Manchester Girls (on alternating weekends).

After Lexi became one of the top players at Astley, a scout named Reece Cooke from Bolton Wanderers attended to watch her play.

“He was impressed with what he saw,” she added. “He asked me if I wanted to come train and trial at Bolton.”

Lexi was left amazed after seeing the stadium for the first time.

This moment was made more special due to seeing it for the first time while in the car with her dad – on the way to her first training session at Bolton.

After being selected, Lexi said she was overwhelmed with the steps Bolton had taken to integrate the women’s team within the club.

Lexi plays for manager Myles Smith, who she describes as ‘Inspiring’ given his background.

The UEFA-licenced coach has been at the club since July 2024. Before that, he was in key coaching roles at West Ham United and Manchester United, as well as serving as an assistant coach in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad Women.

Lexi added: “Myles is such a kind guy. He’s really believed in me a lot. He knows what he is talking about, and it makes you want to listen.

“He’s come and taught everyone a different way of football, and it is working. It’s such a privilege to work with him.”

And since taking the role, manager Myles Smith said: “I’ve worked with some of the best players in the world playing at the highest level in the game, in both men’s and women’s football and with character. Lexi is right up there with what the best players need and the mindset they need.

“She is tenacious and athletic. There aren’t many people who get past Lexi Williams, If they do, they don’t get past her again.

“As a coach, she is a dream to work with; we are lucky to have her… She is determined, resilient; she is someone who wants to learn, always wants to do more, listen and be educated.”

Lexi is eager to serve as a role model in her community.

She added: “I know people would love to be in my position. I’m from Salford, nowhere special in a way I know we do a lot of incredible things in Salford, but it’s just my home town.

“I haven’t got a scholarship or gone to America, but I have made it to Bolton, who want to invest all this money, time and effort into the club, and I am a part of it.

“It’s incredible to do something little me dreamed of doing.”

Bolton Wanderers are fully integrating the women’s team into the football club, marking a historic change rather than being under Bolton Wanderers in the Community.

“Now we are with the men’s team, getting photoshoots, our shirts sold in the club shop and our own squad list. It is amazing to be a part of this journey of inspiring the next generation,” added Lexi.

The club provide the players with top-level support.

“Clubs higher up aren’t getting any of the stuff we are getting,” said Lexi.

This includes GSP tracking systems, the food after games, the fans, and the support from the club.

Lexi added: “The club has genuinely said they’re going to do something and have proved it.”

The Salfordian has eyes on her on and off the field, with young fans praising the 17-year-old from Eccles.

“I feel so wholesome inside. I was their age once, and now I’m the role model,” she said.

“There was a time when a girl (asked), ‘Can you sign my football for me? Honestly, I’ve never felt feeling like it.”